Jets don't mind being underdog heading into New England

October 18, 2012|Reuters

Jets safeties LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell vs. Patriots TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez -- The Jets upgraded at safety last spring largely so they'd be better-equipped to handle a tight-end-heavy league in general and the 1-2 punch of Gronkowski and Hernandez in particular. This will be the first legitimate test for Landry and Bell, who didn't have to worry too much about Scott Chandler in an opening-day rout of the Bills nor Vernon Davis in a lopsided loss to the 49ers. Gronkowski and Hernandez combined for 21 catches for 241 yards and two touchdowns (both by Gronkowski) against the Jets last year. They likely will be paired together Sunday for what amounts to just the third time this season (Hernandez was hurt in the first quarter against the Cardinals on Sept. 16 and missed the next three games). Antonio Cromartie is a good bet to keep Brandon Lloyd in check, so if Landry and Bell need to contain Gronkowski and Hernandez in order to further minimize the damage the league's most potent offense can inflict.